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Oocystis

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Identification

  • Green in color
  • Colonies are contained in a mother cell
  • Has 2-8 cells per colony, but can be seen as a solitary cell
  • Cells are elliptic and lemon-shaped with slightly pointed ends
  • Each cell might have one to three parietal chloroplasts

Why Do I Have It?

  • Polishing lagoon has high levels of organic sludge buildup

Associated Lagoon (Pond) Conditions

Oocystis may contribute to high effluent TSS and can possibly be associated with high effluent BOD. If conditions allow for its abundance, Oocystis can form blooms that are highly resilient.

Treatment

Due to that outer mother cell wall, chemical treatments may not always work on this alga. Instead, we recommend limiting its ideal nutrient-rich environment. Sludge can be physically removed by dredging or a non-disruptive option: Sludge Rx. This can aid in sludge reduction and prevent the resuspension of nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Aluminum chlorohydrate can also help coagulate this alga to reduce TSS.

Because wastewater issues and the cause behind algae can be complex, we recommend our Filament ID and Microanalysis. This not only confirms algae and filament ID, but looks at biological indicators, plant design, and incoming substrates to decode your unique process.

Under the Microscope and in Your Plant

Oocystis is a green planktonic alga that can be found in wastewater polishing lagoons with high levels of organic sludge buildup. Oocystis usually starts to grow from the bottom of a water body with high organic sludge and seems to decrease with the removal of such sludge. This alga may contribute to high effluent TSS and can possibly be associated with high effluent BOD. Oocystis is generally a colonial alga with 2-8 cells per colony but may sometimes be observed as a solitary cell. The cells are elliptical, lemon-shaped, have slightly pointed ends, and each cell may have one to three parietal chloroplasts. The colonies are contained in at least one mother cell wall that circles the colony and is often mistaken for mucilage.